BDJ's Cellar Full of Remixes
278 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsOnce upon a time (or maybe twice) there were four magicians; and they made wonderful music, and called themselves The Beatles. In BDJ's Cellar, their spirits roam freely, they play and mix with other music, young and old.
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Episodes
Sour Truffle Sea
May 18, 2009 21:38 - 4 minutes - 6.62 MBGeorge Harrison wrote Sour Milk Sea, recorded an acoustic demo, but did not release it himself. Jackie Lomax scored a minor hit with his version, helped by GH. What would it have sounded, if the Beatles had recorde Sour Milk Sea ? This is our best guess...
I'm So Tired ft.Paul McCartney
May 05, 2009 19:35 - 2 minutes - 3.08 MBJohn rarely (never?) performed songs written by Paul. Paul, however, appears to have sung 'John' songs every now and then. Some of these occasions were captured on tape during the Let It Be sessions (1969). Paul did a rather serious attempt at I'm So Tired; unfortunatley, the backing by the others was rather lacking. Hence, we combined the released backing track with Paul's vocals.
Electronic Sounds ft. George Harrison & BDJ
April 26, 2009 14:42 - 18 minutes - 23.9 MBElectronic Sounds (1969) is Harrison's least succesful album, and probably the least sold LP of all Beatles (andd ex-Beatles) taken together. It contains 2 long tracks, which are basically George tinkering with a synthesizer (a novelty in 1969). there is precious little music in there, just noise and electronic sounds (the buyer has been warned....). In an attempt to revive this forgotten album, we spiced it up a bit, giving George's sounds a vague sense of rythm, and BDJ added punch-in syn...
Please Mrs Postman
April 25, 2009 21:46 - 2 minutes - 4.63 MBHelen Shapiro and the Beatles go back a long time. The Beatles were Helen's backing group on her Uk tour, before they was fab..... They seem to have got along fine. Surprisingly, Shapiro never coverd a Beatles song, and the boys never composed one for her. Probably because she was not an artist under Epstein's management ? Anyway, the boys still helped her, for instance with cameo appearances on TV. And here's new support for her: the Beatles join her inan enthusiastic rendition...
I'm in Love with Billy J.
April 13, 2009 21:02 - 2 minutes - 4.12 MBIt is October 14th, 1963. Billy J. Kramer and the Dakota's record "I'm in Love", a song given to them by John lennon. One of the few songs that JL gave away, and - perhaps - it was a rare occasion, John was present, to help Billy J through the track. What went wrong ? we don't know, but somebody (Lennon, George Martin ?) wasn't happy with the recording, and Billy J abadonded the track after 32 tracks. I'm in Love then became a minor hit for the Fourmost. What if Lennon had stepped ...
One After 90909
April 11, 2009 20:32 - 2 minutes - 2.05 MBWhile cleaning out the attic of BDJ Towers, we stumbled on a tape; it carried a hand-written label, stating only: "Carnival of Light JPM". When we played the tape, we found it contained just fragments of speech, reversed loops and sound effects. So we erased it. The flip side of the tape was much more interesting: apparently a private copy of the Cavern Rehearsel sessions; this tape is special, since it contains One After 909 IN STEREO, recorded in the cavern. This again shows how av...
Revolution 2009
April 06, 2009 21:04 - 8 minutes - 5.64 MBRevolution 2009 will carry us from Revolution take 20, to the day that Carnival of Light finnaly appears (and we will all be disappointed). It takes Revolution into the 21st century, going places that even John L. dare not go. Chockful of deeper meaninings and unmeasurable wisdom, it is key to solving the mysteries that still surround the Beatles. Contains contributions (and only those) by: Beatles: Tomorrow Never Knows, For the Benefit of Mr Kite, A day in the Life, Lovely Rita,...
Inner Man
April 05, 2009 16:01 - 2 minutes - 3.96 MBGeorge Harrison appears a man of extremes. On the one hand, he moans about having to pay taxes (Taxman), and not much later, he contemplates the meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything (The inner Light). Quite a journey, for a plumber from Liverpool. But what about the music, did it evolve as extreme as his lyrics ? Judge for yourself, and listen to this All Revealing retro-mix.
With a Little Help (Unplugged)
March 24, 2009 22:10 - 2 minutes - 4.81 MBRingo's greatest vocal performance ever, is so good, it could do well in an 'unplugged version'. Actually, Ringo did this in a duet with Sammy Davis junior; quite alright, but is now some time ago. So here's the 21st century version. Acoustic guitar(s), courtesy of Puerto Muerto.
She's A Woman (29-8-'65)
March 15, 2009 20:40 - 2 minutes - 5.14 MBLet me take you back, cause I'm going to the Hollywood Bowl. It is August 29, and the Beatles give their first performance of the '65 tour in Los Angeles. The Fabs are in great shape, and deliver an oustanding show, in spite of (or thanks to ?) the roaring crowd. Unfortuntaley, Paul's microphone does not work when the concert starts. The first song of the evening, Twist and Shout, has John on lead vocals, so the faulty microphone probably went unnoticed. However, the second song,...
Love Me Do (reprise)
March 14, 2009 22:57 - 2 minutes - 5.19 MB"Love Me Do" was recorded by The Beatles on four different occasions with three different drummers: The Beatles first recorded it on 6 June 1962 with Pete Best on drums, as part of their EMI audition at Abbey Road Studios in London. By 4 September, Best had been replaced with Ringo Starr and on that day The Beatles with Starr recorded a version again at Abbey Road Studios. One week later, on 11 September, The Beatles returned to the same studio, and they made a recording of "Lov...
Help ?
March 13, 2009 20:25 - 2 minutes - 1.7 MBJust for fun: the Karaoke-Beatles get some Help from the Beatles......
Dizzy Birthday
March 01, 2009 23:05 - 4 minutes - 7.73 MB"Birthday' is a good old rocker on the White Album. It sort of evolved in the studio, with all four fabs contibuting their stuff. Was it the last track that was really a team effort by the Beatles ? Birthday is a rather simple song, but where are its roots, where did they find their inspiration ? In their childhood of course, when they played only rock and roll; Dizyy Miss Lizzy was a crowd pleaser for them, with John exploiting the sawdust in his voice. Put next to each other, Bir...
Please Me A Feeling
February 21, 2009 20:20 - 2 minutes - 1.89 MBPlease Please Me take 1 is "the one that got away". No recordings of the original Please Please Me survive, and it is likely that none ever existed. it is supposed to be significantly different from the released Please Please Me; George Martin claimed that he advised (demanded) that they speed it up. Lennon said he wrote it with Roy Orbison in mind; the Beatles toured with Orbison, and they repeatedly admitted that they admired his songwriting and singing. So Please Please Me was pro...
I've Got a 2nd Feeling
February 06, 2009 21:43 - 1 minute - 6.76 MBIt was 40 years ago today (almost....) that the Beatles performed their Rooftop concert. Several songs were included on Let It Be, such as I've Got a Feeling". In fact, they performed this song twice, and the first perforamcne was used on the record. So, why not see what we can do with the 2nd perofmance of I've Got a Feeling ? I used the sound recordings of the cameras that filmed the conert: a camera on the rooftop, and another across the street. Added a monitor mix to give it mor...
Happiness is a Huge Melody
January 25, 2009 20:35 - 7 minutes - 13.1 MBHappiness is a warm Gun is not a regular song, but a sequence of 3 or 4 songlettes. By chance or design, these fragments form a whole, that (for some) is more meaningful than any of its parts. The genius of Lennon at work ? Listening to Happiness IAWG, I realised that McCartney did something similar on the B-side of Abbey Road; the final this of Abbey Road is a sequence of songs, fitted tightly together, culminating in The End (where we find Meaning, just as is the last part of Happ...
Got To Get You into My Life ft. Jools Holland Orchestra
January 15, 2009 20:16 - 3 minutes - 2.12 MBNot a remix, but a Unique Recording. date: New Years eve 2007 place: BBC Hootananny vocals; Paul McCartney electric bass: Paul McCartney grand piano: Jools Holland & the Jools Holland orchestra Play it loud !
Getting Better by Kaiserchiefs
January 13, 2009 21:59 - 2 minutes - 5.05 MBTo celebrate the 40th 'Birthday' of Sgt Pepper, the BBC invited various bands to record tracks from Sgt Pepper; in Abbey Road studios, using the original equipment (4 track analogue recorders) and staff (Geoff Emerick). Two doumentantaries of the recording sessions were broadcast on TV. I'm not sure if an official album was ever released of these covers. They are intersting cover versions, also thanks to the Geoff, who managed to re-create many of the typical sounds. Unfortunately,...
Happiness is a warm Gun tk7
January 11, 2009 23:06 - 57 minutes - 4.97 MBHappiness is a Warm Gun appears to be a bit of a mixed bag, which seems to hang together for some reason. The meaning of most Lennon songs can be unravelled, just as I showed for his poetry. In this case, most will agree with a 'anatomical' intepreation of the 'gun' in the song. This also fits the "Mother superior jump the gun' refrain, since Lennon often referred to Yoko as 'Mother'. The first part is less easy to interpret, because of the interfence from others (Derek Taylor). I ...
Dear One
December 22, 2008 21:27 - 4 minutes - 8.55 MBThis is the season for love, world peace, and what does it it all mean anyway. Obviously, we look for guidance in these matters, and who better to help us along than George Harrison ? George confessed to support all religions (or the major ones at least), and - indeed - Dear One could be appreciated by many of different faiths. This version is a bit more lush, but still solemn, than the original. Play it loud, play it often, and who knows what we can achieve......
She Loves You with Peter Sellers
December 03, 2008 21:09 - 1 minute - 3.42 MBPeter Sellers recorded She Loves You in a number of 'disguises'. Ranging form a Cockney version to the Irish Dentist. Here, we selected the 'German Version", because it combines well with the german version that the Beatles themselves did of She Loves You. Seller's German Version was not released in his lifetime, but can now be found on various compilations, all without music. Until today.......
A Hard Days Night with Peter Sellers
November 23, 2008 20:16 - 2 minutes - 4.82 MBPeter Sellers in a TV broadcast, performing A hard Days Night. It was a highlight of this "The Music of Lennon & McCartney' broadcast. In the show, there was only minimal accompaniment by a sew violins and choir. Here, we invoke the Beatles to help Peter Sellers out with his Hard Days Night. The vocals follow the version released on a record, with some outtakes included for good measure.
Help Loui
November 16, 2008 18:04 - 2 minutes - 3.79 MB88 Fingers Louie formed in spring 1993, with the intention of playing sloppy, fun punk music for themselves. And they succeeded..... eexcept for their version of Help !, which is quite good. Lots of pace and power, straight through the middle. somehow, I feel John would have appreciated their style for this song.
With Help !
November 15, 2008 22:00 - 2 minutes - 4.15 MBPeter Sellers and the Beatles seem to have got along remarkebly well. Of course, they shared their producer (George Martin), made absurd films, and had a special sense of humour. Sellers was present in the studio when the Beatles recorded, on several occasions, and expresed a clear interest in recreational drugs on the 'Get Back' session tapes. Sellers covered a few Beatles songs, in his own comic style, but never recorded with help from the Beatles. Until today, that is.......
Look Up My Name
November 14, 2008 22:36 - 3 minutes - 2.12 MBThis is a little known take of what would later become "You Know My name". In this early version, The beatles experiment with a Soul version of the Lennon composition. Quickly put together, but still the inspiration for the Soul industry that would spring from it, and singers such as Eddy Floyd.....
You Don't Know my Name
November 07, 2008 22:21 - 4 minutes - 3.27 MBPaul once called You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) his favourite Beatles song. Was he already dead after all ? It is certainly a mcCartney-esque track, harking back to the good old days when his father played the piano in a band..... In the version of BDJ productions, no actual Beatles were harmed. In fact, all instrumental tracks are form 'others', who shal remain nameless. But they are not chosen at random: all tracks somehow link to the Beatles. Do you know who they are, and ...
Bootie Mother
October 13, 2008 20:17 - 3 minutes - 2.35 MBThe flipside of "Beautiful Mother", this track is - as we often find with Lennon-McCartney B-sides - a little masterpiece, albeit less commercial. John teamed up with Shuggie Otis (who is alive and touring) to record this track. Shuggie layed down the rythm tracks, and played keyboards (piano & organ) and also takes care of the stunning guitar solo. All that was left was Lennon's haunting vocals, to make this the best Billboard No 1 that never charted.
Beautiful Mother
October 04, 2008 22:10 - 4 minutes - 3.19 MBOne of Lennon's great "I'm so Sorry for Myself" songs, perhaps inspired by the Primal Scream therapy that he subjected himself to. The original production was minimalistic, and can hardly be bettered. But it can be changed altogether..... A bit of pezzaz, some flutes, an organ, and three it is: a a beautiful production of mother. Begs the question: Julia or Yoko ?
Goodnight (Naked)
September 28, 2008 20:03 - 3 minutes - 2.56 MBSleeping appears to have had a particular interest to Lennon. From "Close your eyes and I'll kiss you", "I'm only Sleeping", through to "No 9 Dream", sleeping was present in his songs. Why ? Hard to tell, but somewhow sleeping was associated to imagining, new thougths or insights for JL., rather than just resting. In 'Goodnight' we again are encouraged to sleep so we can have 'sweet dreams', rather than recover energy for the next day of hard work. And a beautiful song it is. Lege...
Depression no 9
September 13, 2008 21:37 - 3 minutes - 2.28 MBRevolution 9 is an enigmatic track, which captures the attention for 10 minutes or so. It is of interest because it is is different, rather then being of any musical value. Here, we attempt to do one better, by combining the lunacy and other Lennon quotes with a catchy tune. The backing track is from the LP (never released on CD) 'From the Workshop', by the Sandy Coast, who were world famous all over Voorburg in the seventies. Doesn't it capture the depth and profanity of Lennon's ...
Yesterday (Live)
August 03, 2008 18:48 - 2 minutes - 1.45 MBSome 4 to 5 live recordings of Yesterday survive, with largely varying sound quality. None of them are in Stereo; until today, that is ! For the first time, in glorious stereophonic sound (provided your turntable is equipped to reproduce stereo), and a little help from our friends at NHK, we present: Yesterday !
Feel Yesterday
August 02, 2008 20:26 - 4 minutes - 2.99 MBI'm pretty sure that Yesterday is the most often covered Beatles song. Can we still do something original with it, after more than 40 years of messing about by the worlds greatest singers/musicians ? That is the Challenge for the month of August. Could not do that alone, but - fortunately - had help from Robbie Williams. Sounds different when you hear it, just listen to it twice and you will not forget it ever..... And that is the point of Yesterday; cherish the memories, have some...
L.A Universe
July 30, 2008 22:46 - 4 minutes - 3.09 MBHere is a delciate rendition of Across the Universe, supported by the Doors (my other favourite group). Not bad for a last-minute entry in the July Remix-of-the-month challenge ? NB as a challenge to the experts, I included one bad edit in the mix. See if you can spot it!
Across Lennon's Universe
July 27, 2008 21:02 - 4 minutes - 3.11 MBIn the way that Good Dog Nigel captures the essence of Lennon in a a poem, so does this track capture Lennon in Song; or at least I tried..... All that is important is here: peace, mother, and the man imself. Who could ask for more ?
Back in the USSR (Live in Amsterdam)
July 25, 2008 20:43 - 2 minutes - 1.79 MBOnce upon a time - or maybe twice - there lived a young boy boy named BDJ. And he loved music, but he couldn't play. He BDJ grew up and a beard, and - one fine day - he spoke upon his friends and said: let's make music. And so they did, although they could not play. Unfortunately, their music ws recorded and preserved for posterity, though no one wanted to hear it. When BDJ's beard had turned grey and shaven off, he decied to enter the digital age and ...
Hey Sheepdog !
June 08, 2008 14:51 - 2 minutes - 2.08 MBMany Beatles Songs can be performed in different styles, the Beatles themsleves tried out their tracks in vatious formats on occasion. In this way Strawberry Fields started as a mellow singalong, ending up as the galaxy-busting supernova of sound that we have come to know. Here, we go the other way with Hey Bulldog: from the rough and let's-do-it-now version that was released, to a more introvert interpretation, as suggested by Beatlegrass.
Pick Up The Bulldog
June 07, 2008 17:21 - 4 minutes - 2.83 MBThe Beatles visit funky town in this free-flowing re-mix with the Average White Band. Miraculously, the songs fit quite well together, and Hey Bulldog settles nicely to the groove.
Hey Nigel !
June 01, 2008 08:42 - 1 minute - 810 KBOne of Lennon's shortest poems, "Good Dog Nigel", paired with the only logical backing. This poem clearly shows what Lennon's poems are about: looks like "A Laugh-a-minute with Lennon" at first sight, but one level down, the story is pretty sad. According to Philip Norman's "Shout", p.49: 'They (Mimi and John ed.) used to keep al little dog named Sally...John really thou...
The Wumberlog
May 25, 2008 19:52 - 2 minutes - 1.58 MBThis is the longest poem Lennon wrote (I think). Here, just the first minute or so is set to music, before it all turns too sad......
In His Own Write and Wrong
May 25, 2008 12:07 - 3 minutes - 2.29 MBOne needs to know a bit of British political history to fully appreciate the poem "The General Erection", which Lennon wrote while Wilson was in office as prime minister (and awarded him an MBE...). Even so, the poem sits nicely with 'Revolution', written when Lennon had already returned his MBE.......
A Spaniard in the Works and Life of a Little Budgie
May 25, 2008 07:35 - 2 minutes - 2.02 MBHere's a teaser for Lennon's second book (Spaniard in the Works) set to Music. What is more beautiful, Lennon's music or Lennon's Poetry ? We don't know, but the combination of music and poetry should surpass all. Judge for yourself, in this charming little episode, from John in a rare contemplative mood.
In His Own Write
May 24, 2008 20:40 - 2 minutes - 1.71 MBThe project to set Lennon's poetry to music is progressing well. Here is 'I sat belonely', one of the best known poems from Lennon's first book. Lennon took his poetry as seriously as his music. History may judge differently (perhaps), and what it will say about these music/poems, only time will tell....... And you, just leave a Comment.
Yer Blues & Friends
May 09, 2008 18:53 - 4 minutes - 6.77 MBIs it possible, John Lennon (rythm guitar, vocals), Eric Clapton (lead guitar) and Keith Richard (bass) in a single mix ? Yes it is ! and it sort of happened in december 1968. Never released tracks of these superstars performing live took a little doctoring, and the result is stunning. Rock & roll, baby !
Wild Honey Pie
April 30, 2008 21:05 - 3 minutes - 6.14 MBWild Honey Pie is a strong contender for the worst song that the Fab Four ever released. Why was this episode of non-music included on the White Album ? McCartney - who was always very keen to release only qualiity Beatles tracks - explained that Pattie Boyd said she liked the recording, so he decided to keep it on the album. What clouded Macca's judgement, was is it Something in the way she moved ? One would expect any re-mix to outshine the original WHP, but there are exceptions.....
Come Flying
April 25, 2008 15:08 - 2 minutes - 4.51 MBHere's a classic rocker that never was. It's a Hey Bulldog type throw-away, that turned out better than anyone expected (at least better than I hoped for.....).. Pity that George had left in anger, before his solo had been recorded.....
Instant Love
April 10, 2008 20:57 - 2 minutes - 4.54 MBCircumstance or inspiration ? Some songs just belong together, but are they stronger when combined ? Find out here......
All You Need Is a Lifetime
April 04, 2008 20:51 - 4 minutes - 8.25 MBA rare Live recording of John Lennon & Talking Heads. Gives a new perspective on the Anthem of the Sixties. Is this the way Love (is all you need) was meant to be ?
All You Need Is Love
April 03, 2008 15:52 - 4 minutes - 7.42 MBA true Remix of this classic. Tried to make it crisper and cleaner, but couldn't help adding a little something at the beginning and the end. Everything is from the All You Need sessions though.
Paperback Breakthru
March 24, 2008 11:27 - 2 minutes - 5.4 MBQueen and the Beatles may appear like very distant cousins, but they actually share quite a bit of background. Both groups played the Cavern (how | wish i was there....), and Queen took their logo from a statue just acroos the street from the cavern. Freddy m went to the same school as John L, but a few years later...... Good enough reasons to try a collaborartion of the two Liverpool supergroups ?
We Can Work it Out
March 21, 2008 14:55 - 32 minutes - 5.5 MBA Courtney Audain/MCartney collaboration, resulting in a catchy groove and great lryics. Doing this re-mix, found out (the hard way) that the Fab Four speed up quite a bit during WeCan Work It Out........Adds to the excitement.